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Angus Reid Poll on Copyright Reveals Strong Opposition to C-61

By Michael Geist

Angus Reid has just released a new poll of Canadian views on the new copyright bill.  The survey finds that 39 percent of Canadians want their MP to vote against the bill, 32 percent in favour, and 29 percent are not sure.  By province the numbers are even more revealing: 45 percent against in BC (25 percent in favour), 39 percent against in Alberta (36 percent in favour), 51 percent against in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (23 percent in favour), and 43 percent against in Ontario (23 in favour).  The only provinces that favour are Quebec (43 - 31 in favour) and Atlantic Canada (50 - 30 in favour).

The demographic data is also interesting.  Men oppose the legislation 49 to 33 percent, while women are split 31 - 29 in favour with the largest number (40 percent) unsure.  58 percent of those aged 18 to 34 are against (only 12 percent in favour), while those with college education (44 - 28 against) and university education (47 - 30 against) showing strong opposition as well.  A few additional data points:

• 76 percent agree with the statement that the proposed amendments "are being introduced as a result of lobbying by the North American music market"
• 63 percent agree with the statement that the proposed amendments "will expose millions of Canadians to lawsuits by copyright holders"
• 66 percent agree with the statement that the are symbolic that "the government will not be able to enforce the new law"

If you are the Conservative party, which looks to younger males as a core constituency, this is not good news.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on June 19, 2008 (boomark / email).